Chevy Small-Block Engine - 10 To The 8th Power

Part 1: Manufacturing a Milestone

Fifty-seven years after Chevrolet installed the first small-block V-8 in a production Corvette, General Motors celebrated the manufacture of the 100-millionth small-block Chevy. Big news? Indeed, and VETTE readers have even more reason to rejoice because the milestone motor was a Corvette 6.2L LS9--the same engine that comes in the ZR1.

"The LS9 assembly--guided throughout the day by the same men at GM's Performance Build Center [PBC], who hand-build every production LS9, LS7, and dry-sump LS3 for the Corvette--represents the current state of the art for the [Chevy] small-block. GM will preserve the engine as part of its historical collection," says Tom Read, spokesman for Chevrolet's Powertrain Division.

2/12

The milestone engine's creation commenced at 7:30 a.m. on November 29, 2011, with PBC Skilled Engine Builders taking a first-string role in the build-up. They were assisted by employees and guests, including former small-block chief engineer and GM vice president Ed Koerner, current small-block chief engineer Jordan Lee, and retired engine engineer Denny Davis, among others. The process took a total of five hours, ending at precisely 12:30 p.m.

Then it was time to show off the milestone "mouse" motor and celebrate its significance for past, current, and future generations. On a stage that had been erected at the Build Center, special guest Dave Cole told the private audience about the origins of the Chevy small-block and his father, Ed Cole's, role in its development. Next, GM Executive Director Engine Engineering Sam Winegarden discussed the historical importance of the current SBC and provided highlights of the upcoming Gen V small-block architecture.

Follow along now as we share some of the highlights from this historic event, and check back next month as we pick 10 of the most significant Chevy small-blocks installed in the Corvette over its 59-year run. We'll also discuss what details Chevy has revealed about the Gen V that's slated to power the upcoming C7.

MORE PHOTOS

VIEW FULL GALLERY

xclose

Chevy Small-Block Engine - 10 To The 8th Power

1 Skilled Engine Builders John Ross and Chuck DeKubber begin the assembly of the 100-millionth GM small-block, or

2 Denny Davis--a small-block engineer on Corvette Chief Engineer's Zora Arkus Duntov's high-performance products team in the '50s and '60s--had a key role in the creation of the second-generation Duntov cam. He had the honor of installing the milestone mill's crank.

3 Ron Bluhm, GM Powertrain historian (shown on right), performs the torque-to-turn test while being guided by Skilled Engine Builder Mike Priest. The torque-to-turn test ensures there are no abnormalities in the resistance of crank-to-bearing surfaces while turning the crankshaft.

4 GM Small-Block Chief Engineer Jordan Lee tightens the rod-cap bolts. Though this celebratory engine will not see active duty, all bolts and fasteners were torqued to production specs.

5 GM Experimental Assembler Richard McBride pushes the pistons into the lucky LS9. You may recall him from our exclusive feature on an LS3 buildup at the Performance Build Center ("One to One Relationship," Sept. and Oct. '10).

6 Bill McGuire, from VETTE's sister publication HOT ROD, moves a cylinder head from the parts bin to the block.

7 Dean Guard, former small-block chief engineer and current executive director for engine-program execution, affixes the 100M tag to the LS9's intercooler using a special fixture that keeps it from going on crooked.

8 Detroit News journalist Scott Burgess installs the intercooler.

9 Skilled Engine Builder Tom Taylor transfers the nearly complete 100M LS9 to a display stand used for fitting the accessory drive and covers, as well as for its trip to the final presentation area and last torques. The installation of these components was a first at the PBC, as they are usually installed at the Corvette assembly plant in Bowling Green, Kentucky.

10 The 100-millionth GM small-block engine sits completed at the end of the assembly line.